Electric annunciator



(No-Model.)

F. C. OOLVILLE. ELECTRIC ANNUNGIATOR.

Patented 1360.29. 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Tirion.

FRANK O. COLVILLE, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC ANNUNCIATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,063, dated December 29, 1891.

Application filed March 26, 1891.

To all whom it may concern.-

. Be it known that I, FRANK C. COLVILLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Annunciators, of which the following is a specification. My invention has for its object to produce a curtain tripping or releasing mechanism for drop-curtains, in electric annunciators that shall be more sensitive and capable of being worked with less battery-power than other known constructions, and also t0 bring the parts into compact form and small compass for greater economy of space in the case. To such ends and objects I construct and prof duce a gravity drop-curtain and mechanism, substantially as hereinafter explained and set forth, the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, being referred to by letters.

Figure l represents in front View a case containing a number of indicators with a portion of the front broken away to expose parts inside. Fig. 2 is a side elevation with the case broken away. Fig. 8 represents infront view and on a larger scale one of the dropcurtains and its mechanism. Fig. 4. is a side view of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 represents t-he'baseplate with the parts removed.

A indicates the base plate or part on which the magnets, armature, and drop-curtain are mounted.

B B are the magnets, C the armature, and D the drop=curtain.

The base-plate is cut out of a single piece of galvanized iron in suitable shape to furnish a bridge ctx across theI top, ears or projections a2 at either side for screws to fix the plate in the case, and extensions or brackets a3 a3 for the pivot E ot' the armature and those DX on which the curtain is hung.

Both the baseplate and the armature are made of galvanized or tinned iron for the pur pose of avoiding or overcoming residual magnetism after the current is cut off.

The curtain-pivots DX are so set that the principal weight of the curtain is on the front sides of the pivots, and it drops by its own weight when released.

Serial No. 386,451. (No model.)

or projection D2 on the side of the curtain.

A notch or seat g isA formed on this rod Gat or near the upper end to receive the bottom edge of the lip'or part D2, while the lower end of the rod, being bent or turned horizontally to pass through the bracket, enters or is fixed in the armature to be fixed by that part. It will be seen from the position in which the magnets are set in the base-plate, they being inclined backward, that the armature stands at an inclination from the vertical when dravwn to the magnet, and consequently when released its weight acts in the most favorable manner to throw the rod or catch G from beneath the curtain-catch. This position ot' the magnets also requiresless depth of room than if the magnets were placed upright, and also permits the curtain to work more closely to the magnets and with less drop or extent of movement. The catch thus produced is extremely sensitive, as a small movement of the rod G at the armature end is multiplied at the point g, where'the lip of the curtain is seated, and consequently a slight movement of the armature serves to throw the upper end of the rod clear of the catch and release the curtain. A tongue or projection H is formed on the front edge of the armature, setting outward in the path of the curtain, and as that part drops its momentum is utilized to carry the armature down should it be held by residual magnetism to the poles of the magnet. A number of these drops is arranged in a case in the usual manner behind sight-openings, and the proper numbers or signals are painted on the front of the curtains.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Paten t, is

l. The base-plate A, having the forwardlyinclined bridge ctx for the magnet-spool, the ears or lugs, and the side brackets, substantially as described.

2. In an electric annunciator, the combination, with an electric drop-curtain, of the piv- IOO oted armature and catch Wire 0r rod forming pivot for the armature or fixed to that part the pivot or center on which the armature is at the center of movement, as described. lo hungand havinganoteh orshonlderto engage In testimony that I claim the foregoing I the curtain. have hereunto set my hand and seal.

5 3. In combination with the drop-curtain in FRANK C. COLVILLE. [L,'S.]

an electric annuncia/Dor, the upwardlybent IVtneSses: catch Wire or rod adapted to engage the onr- C. XV. M. SMITH,

tain at the upper part and forming also :L CHAS. E. KELLY. 

